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Nigerian small business owners and members of public institutions trained on quality management practices

Friday, 24 June 2016

ABUJA/LAGOS, 24 June 2016 – Over 160 participants, representing small businesses and public institutions, took part in a training programme that was organized in Lagos and Abuja. The four-week training of trainers certification programme focused on the implementation of Quality Management Systems according to the ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 19011:2011 standards.

The training was part of a National Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP) implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and funded by the European Union.

The Vice President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (NACCIMA) Iyalode Alaba-Lawson, who attended the first training session, noted that a recent survey conducted by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) indicated an ever-increasing public view that “made-in-Nigeria” products were of questionable quality.

“This perception could lower local and international demand for such goods, regardless of their availability and reduce the positive impact of Government policies such as import-substitution, food sufficiency and export promotion. The MAN survey recommended several actions necessary for Nigerian producers to improve the quality of their products. As a means of tackling this challenge, this opportune training course aims to help restore consumer confidence,” said Alaba-Lawson.

A total of 124 participants successfully passed the training course examination and will be considered for the selection of potential lead auditors.

The 50 best-performing participants will receive further support from the NQI Project to become National QMS trainers able to promote and implement the relative standards in their organizations or to become lead auditor for the newly established certification bodies.